Curriculum Vitae

 Education:

(2008) Ph.D. in Philosophy, Tulane University

(2006) M.A. in Philosophy, Tulane University

(2001) B.A. in Philosophy & Political Science, University of Minnesota, Duluth 

Areas of Specialization:

Political Philosophy, Ethics, Applied Ethics (Biomedical, Business & Environmental), Metaethics, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and John Rawls

Areas of Competence:

Philosophy of Law, Epistemology, Logic, History of Modern and Philosophy of Religion

Administrative Appointments:

(2024-present) Senior Director of Network Technology Innovation, Institute of Humane Studies @ GMU

(2020-2024) Managing Director of Academic Relations, Institute of Humane Studies @ GMU

(2019-2020) Senior Director of Faculty Relations, Institute of Humane Studies @ GMU

(2016-2019) Managing Director, Center for Free Enterprise, West Virginia University

(2011-2016) Director, Center for Ethics and Public Policy, University of Minnesota, Duluth

Academic Appointments:

(Fall 2019) Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business 

(2016-2019) Affiliated Faculty, College of Business & Economics, West Virginia University

(2011-2016) Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota, Duluth 

(2010-2011) Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota, Duluth

(2009-2010) Visiting Assistant Professor, Merrimack College

(2007-2009)  Visiting Assistant Professor, Tulane University 

(2006-2007) Graduate Fellow, Murphy Institute of Political Economy, Tulane University

(2003-2006) Teaching Fellow, Tulane University

(2002-2003) Teaching Assistant, Tulane University

Publications:

~Chapters~

“The Necessity of Offense.” The Value and Limits of Academic Speech: Philosophical, Political, and Legal Perspectives, Donald Alexander Downs & Chris W. Surprenant (eds.), Routledge (2018), 155-66.

                ***A summary of my chapter was posted on IHS's Open Inquiry Project.

“Editor’s Introduction.” Hobbesian Applied Ethics and Public Policy (Routledge Research in Applied Ethics), New York: Routledge (2017), 1-12.

“A Defense of Senate Obstructionism.” Ethics in Politics, David Killoren, Emily Crookston & Jonathan Trerise (eds.), Routledge (2017), 91-106.    

"Frank the Foole, Upon a House of Cards." House of Cards and Philosophy, J. Edward Hackett (ed.), Wiley-Blackwell (2015), 115-27.

“Cat Urine, Medicinal Fried Chicken & Smoking: South Park's Anti-Paternalistic Libertarianism”, The Ultimate South Park and Philosophy Book, Robert Arp & Kevin Decker (ed.), Wiley-Blackwell (2013), 208-19.

~SHORT ESSAYS & COMMENTS~

"Faith Without Dead Dogma: A Reply to Hay". Civil American, Volume 1, Article 5 (12/21/16). 

"Faith and Betrayal of the Philosophical Method". Civil American, Volume 1, Article 3 (12/04/16).  

"Breaking Out of the Bubble: Fixing American Politics". Civil American, Volume 1, Article 2 (11/11/16). 

''What Ifs' and No Regrets". Civil American, Volume 1, Article 1 (10/31/16). 

“Comments on Jessy Jordan: The Ghost of Prometheus”, Southwest Philosophy Review, Issue 28(2) (July 2012), 35-8.

“Determinism”, American Philosophy: An Encyclopedia, John Lachs & Robert B Talisse (ed.), Routledge (2008), 173-5.

“Subjectivism”, American Philosophy: An Encyclopedia, John Lachs & Robert B Talisse (ed.), Routledge (2008), 741-2.

“Compatibilism”, American Philosophy: An Encyclopedia, John Lachs & Robert B Talisse (ed.), Routledge (2008), 121-3.

~BOOK REVIEWS~

Review of Brian Barry, Why Social Justice Matters, Utilitas Vol. 19, Issue 4 (2007), 522-4.

Review of Douglas Hodgson, Individual Duty within a Human Rights Discourse, Human Rights Review, (April-June 2005), 151-2. 

Teaching Experience:

Social Responsibilities of Business (Fall 2019)

Leadership Ethics (Spring 2018)

Business Ethics (Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016)

Business Ethics (Summer 2018) (@ Tianjin, China)

Philosophy Through Dialogue and Debate (Fall 2015)

Senior Seminar: Hobbesian Problems (Fall 2015)

Ethical Theory: Consequentialism & Deontology  (Fall 2014, Fall 2012)

Hobbesian Political Philosophy (Spring 2011)

Science and Pseudoscience  (Fall 2010)

Philosophy and World Religions   ([Section 1] Spring 2013, [Section 2] Spring 2013, [Section 1] Spring 2011, [Section 2] Spring 2011,  [Section 1] Fall 2010, [Section 2] Fall 2010)

Philosophy of Law  (Spring 2010)

Law and Punishment (Spring 2014)

Approaches to Ethics (seminar)  (Spring 2010)

Approaches to Ethics  (Spring 2010)

Biomedical Ethics    (Fall 2009)

Intro to Political Philosophy  ([Section C] Fall 2009, [Section A] Fall 2009)

Medical Ethics  (Fall 2014, Spring 2014, Spring 2012, Spring 2009)

Ethics   ([Section 1] Spring 2015, [Section 2] Spring 2015, Spring 2014,[Section 1] Fall 2013, [Section 2] Fall 2013 [Section 1] Fall 2012, [Section 2] Fall 2012,  [Section 1] Fall 2011, [Section 2] Fall 2011, Fall 2010)(Spring 2009, [Section 1] Fall 2008, [Section 2] Fall 2008, Spring 2008, [Section 5] Fall 2007, [Section 1] Fall 2007)

Environmental Ethics  (Fall 2015, Fall 2013, Fall 2011, Fall 2008)

Classics of Modern Political Philosophy (Spring 2008)

Social and Political Ethics   (Fall 2007) 

Current Social/Political Philosophy    (Spring 2015, Spring 2013)

Contemporary Liberalism  (Spring 2006)

Evolution and Morality   (Summer 2005)

Philosophies of the Self   (Spring 2004, Spring 2003, Fall 2003)

Classics of Political Philosophy II  (Fall 2004)

Justifying Democracy  (Summer 2004)

Intro to Philosophy ([Section 2] Fall 2014 , [Section 1] Spring 2012 , [Section 2] Spring 2012)

Presentations:

~Invited & Conferences~

"Prochoice Leviathan", Central APA. February 2018.

Comments on "Arguments for/Against Liberalism”, by Stephen Hicks, Central APA. February 2018.

“The Necessity of Offense”, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education Conference. October 2017.

“The Necessity of Offense”, University of Texas, San Antonio. September 2017.   

"Lockean Absolutism: Locke’s Inner Hobbesian", Eastern APA. January 2017. 

"Lockean Absolutism: Locke’s Inner Hobbesian", Mankato State University, February 2016.

“When Patients and Families Disagree”, St. Luke’s Annual Ethics Conference, December 2015.

"Absolutism in the United States", University of New Orleans, Alexis de Tocqueville Project, February 2015.

"Thomas Hobbes and the Right to Healthcare", University of New Orleans, Alexis de Tocqueville Project, February 2015.

"Hobbesian Absolutism, Thinly Interpreted, Fits the U.S." Eastern APA. December 2014. 

“Philosophy in Demand: In Business, Policy, Journalism, and Life.” Eastern APA. December 2014.

"Hobbesian Right to Health Care", Sonoma State University, February 2014.

"Hobbesian Right to Health Care", Wilkes Honors College, November 2013.

"Lockean Absolutism", Minnesota Philosophical Society, (Comments from Chang-Seong Hong, MSU - Moorhead) October 2013.

"Hobbesian Right to Health Care", University of Evansville, February 2013.

"Hobbesian Right to Health Care", Minnesota Philosophical Society, (Comments from Heidi Giebel, University of St. Thomas) October 2012.

"Political Absolutism in the United States", Minnesota Philosophical Society, (Comments from Josh Preiss, MSU - Mankato) November 2011.

Comments on “Democratic Equality and the Scope of Human Rights”, by Martin Gunderson, Minnesota Philosophical Society, November 2011.

Comments on “The Ghost of Prometheus: A critical response to Nicholas C. Carr’s The Shallows”, by Jessy Jordan, Southwestern Philosophical Society, November 2011.

"Hobbesian Justification for Animal Rights", (Comments from Nina Atanasova, University of Cincinnati), Indiana Philosophical Association, October 2011.

"Hobbes and Sovereign Belief Control", Minnesota Philosophical Society, (Comments from Geoff Gorham, Macalester College), November 2010.

“Hobbesian Animal Rights”, Merrimack College Philosophy Series, February 2010.

“Defending Absolutism”, UMD Colloquium Series, February 2008.

“Hobbes and Public Reason”, UMD Colloquium Series, September 2005.

Comments on “A Problem Identified for Blackburn’s Commitment Semantics”, by Jorn Sonderholm, LSU Symposium on Theoretical and Applied Ethics, February 2004.

Comments on “The Potentiality Problem”, by Elizabeth Harman, LSU Symposium on Theoretical and Applied Ethics, March 2003.

~Campus Events~

"Advocate for the Devil," Institute for Humane Studies, August 2019. 

“Last Lecture Series: The Importance of Tolerating Offense", Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society, February 2016. 

(moderated/organized) “CEPP Panel Discussion on Economic Inequality”, December 2015.

(moderated/organized) “CEPP Panel Discussion on the Minnesota Compassionate Care Act of 2015 (SF 1880)”, October 2015.

(moderated/organized) “CEPP Panel Discussion on Kill vs. No-Kill Shelters”, April 2015.

(moderated/organized) “CEPP Panel Discussion on Sunday Liquor Sales in MN”, November 2014.

(organized) “CEPP Debate for House Seat 7A”, October 2014.

(moderated/organized) “CEPP Panel Discussion on Hunting Ethics”, October 2014.

“South Park's Anti-Paternalistic Libertarianism”, UMD Socratic Society, April 2014.

“Detecting Animal Deception”, UMD Colloquium Series, April 2014.  

"God Debate", (opponent: Rick Mattson, Apologetics Specialist,  InterVarsity/Macalester College), IVUMD, February 2014.

“Debating the Rationale of a Christian Worldview”, (opponent: Michael Rota, Associate Professor, University of St. Thomas), bulldogCatholic Week, February 2014.

(moderated/organized) “CEPP Panel Discussion on Medical Marijuana in Minnesota”, November 2013.

“Power”, UMD Socratic Society, September 2013.

“God and Your Debate Skills”, Bulldog Welcome Week,  September 2013.

(moderated/organized) “CEPP Panel Discussion: Voter ID, How Does it Impact Your Voice?”, September 2013.

“Hobbes & the English Civil War", UMD History Department Colloquium, April 2013.

(moderated/organized) “CEPP Panel Discussion on Copper & Nickel Mining”, April 2013.

“Against Empathy in Ethics “, UMD Empathy Conference, March 2013.

“Affluence, HIV, and Obligation”, UMD Spring Fever, March 2013.

“United States Absolutism”, UMD Socratic Society, December 2012.

(moderated/organized) “CEPP Panel Discussion on Minnesota’s Wolf Hunt”, October 2012.

"Moral Trade-Offs in a Zombie Apocalypse", UMD Zombie Fest, October 2012.

“Irrationality of Voting”, UMD Socratic Society, April 2012.

"A Straightforward Defense of Hobbes's Response to the Foole", UMD Colloquium Series, February 2012.

“Devil’s Advocate”, UMD Socratic Society, November 2011.

(moderated/organized) “CEPP Panel Discussion on Minnesota & Gay Marriage”, February 2011.

“Kant & the Death Penalty”, UMD Socratic Society, November 2010.

"Hobbes, Doxastic Involuntarism, and Public Reason", UMD Colloquium Series, September 2010.

“Hobbesian Absolutism”, Merrimack Philosophy Club, March 2010.

“Gay Rights in America”, panel discussion, GLBT -- Tulane University, October 2007.

Awards/Grants:

Partnership Grant, IHS (2018): $4,500 – Awarded for constructing a speaker series and undergraduate workshop.

2016 Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Public Service (1 of 1, campus-wide ): recognized as a faculty member who has shown leadership in advancing students’ civic learning, fostered community partnerships and made contributions to positive change on issues of public concern.

UMD's Commission for Women Grant (2015):   $1,000 Awarded for constructing a speaker series.

UMD EVCAA Research and Scholarship Grant (2015):   $3,000 -- Awarded for excellence in scholarship that helps promote UMD. 

DSACF Foundational Grant (2015):   $5,000 Awarded for constructing a speaker series.

UMD Chancellor Small Grant (2015):   $1,000 -- Awarded for excellence in scholarship that helps promote UMD. 

Partnership Grant, IHS (2015):   $6,000 Awarded for constructing a speaker series.

CKF Foundational Grant (2015):  $10,100 Awarded for constructing a speaker series and for directing the Center's Undergraduate Scholar Program.

Partnership Grant, IHS (2015):   $6,650 Awarded for constructing a panel discussion.

CKF Foundational Grant (2014):  $6,500 Awarded for constructing a speaker series.

Partnership Grant, IHS (2014):   $6,600 Awarded for constructing a speaker series.

UMD CLA Research/Travel Grant (2014):  $500 -- Awarded for excellence in scholarship that helps promote UMD's College of Liberal Arts.

UMD Chancellor Small Grant (2014):   $500 -- Awarded for excellence in scholarship that helps promote UMD. 

2013 UMD MNCC Civic Engagement Steward Award Nominee (1 of 5, campus-wide):   Award for a member of the faculty, administration, or staff or for a group (e.g., advisory committee, task force, project team) that has significantly advanced their campus’ distinctive civic mission by forming strong partnerships, supporting others’ civic engagement, and working to institutionalize a culture and practice of engagement.

“4 Under 40”:     Featured in the article “4 under 40: Young Duluthians making their mark,” (Duluth~Superior Magazine, January 2013: pp. 8-9) -- for work associated with the directorship of UMD’s Center for Ethics and Public Policy.   

2012 UMD MNCC Civic Engagement Steward Award Nominee (1 of 4, campus-wide):   Award for a member of the faculty, administration, or staff or for a group (e.g., advisory committee, task force, project team) that has significantly advanced their campus’ distinctive civic mission by forming strong partnerships, supporting others’ civic engagement, and working to institutionalize a culture and practice of engagement.

UMD CLA Research/Travel Grant:   $475 -- Awarded for excellence in scholarship that helps promote UMD's College of Liberal Arts. 

Murphy Research Fellowship:    Tuition waiver plus living expenses (2006-2007) -- Awarded for excellence in the study of political philosophy and ethics.

Murphy Graduate Stipend:   Tuition wavier plus living expenses (2001-2006) -- Awarded due to excellence in the study of political philosophy and ethics. The Murphy Institute of Political Economy offers this award to only one graduate student per year. For five consecutive years, I was the student to receive this award.

Ehlers Prize:    Awarded (twice) by the UMD Philosophy department (Spring 2000 & Spring 2001) for writing the best philosophy paper of the year.

Departmental Honors in Philosophy:     Honors thesis, “Nonhuman Animals and the Social Contract,” Philosophy department (Spring 2001).

Departmental Honors in Political Science:  Honors thesis, “Proportional Representation,” Political Science department (Spring 1999).

Journal Referee:

Politics, Philosophy and Economics 

The Journal of Politics

Philosophical Papers 

Philosophical Studies

Modern Language Studies

Polity

Hobbes Studies